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“Gentle Answers” aren’t always my Forte’

The wise King Solomon said “A Gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” (Proverbs 15:1) Ugh… I can be preetttty accomplished at making “tempers flare.” Solomon goes on to says that “the tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing.” Oh dear…and ALSO… “Gentle words are a tree of life.” Ouch.

People around me need calm. They need to be attracted to knowledge and given every opportunity to find life! This especially includes my family. (If you don’t have children this STiLL applies to YOU!) Here’s a few things that i jotted down in my journal recently that help me use my words positively as a parent.

Pick my battles. This doesn’t mean that I stop being consistent. But rather, I decide what the important things are and stick to’um.

Be wise. If I’m constantly learning & growing, then wisdom & knowledge will be more appealing to my kids (and/or those who are following my leadership)

Admit mess-ups! People notice… and kids are people, too. So just ‘fess up, apologize & move on. It leaves a huge impression on everyone… including yourself. (When I apologize it make me think twice before I do it again.)

These ideas certainly apply to all kinds of situations. If you’re in any form of leadership…these can help. Anything pop out to you? If so, is it because you already do it or you know you should do it?

6 thoughts on ““Gentle Answers” aren’t always my Forte’”

You’d think that making eye contact would be easy, right? But yet I forget that a LOT. I gotta get better at this. Also the whole admitting mess-ups thing. Yeah. That’s hard. Basically it was good to hear all of this (again…lol). I love the verses you started out with as well. Great ones to memorize and apply. Thanks, Netta!

I find myself always needing to focus on my tone and facial expressions because sometimes they say what I’m thinking inside but don’t want to say outloud. (which can = trouble sometimes)

I have a great oppurtunity everyday to portray “gentle answers” when speaking to people in tough situations. It’s easy to get frustrated with those who get snippy but this verse will be a great reminder that “gentle answers deflect anger (or turn away wrath)”

My comment may equal a mini blog.. sorry. But thanks for the great thoughts and your openness

I find sometimes that I have too many projects going on at once that none of them are getting accomplished correctly. I really had to think about which things are okay to multitask and which I need to just focus on. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

So true…I need to do this. Trying to use gentle words, but its hard. We talk about self-control a lot in our home & how God gave us a spirit of self-control. Love your blog. Thanks for your encouraging words & just knowing I’m not the only one mom who struggles!

“kids are people too” a good reminder. Apologizing too anyone younger than you is always a nice humbling thing an good word on the multitasking thing. Some things require out full attention. Usually listening is one of them